Antron Brown news 2010-05-18

ANTRON BROWN TAKES 'RIDE OF HIS LIFE' IN F-16 WITH FAMED THUNDERBIRDS
LAS VEGAS (MAY 18, 2010) - Antron Brown is accustomed to speed. The
former college track star and 24-time NHRA winner has built a career
around forward momentum. Whether on...

ANTRON BROWN TAKES 'RIDE OF HIS LIFE' IN F-16 WITH FAMED THUNDERBIRDS

LAS VEGAS (MAY 18, 2010) - Antron Brown is accustomed to speed. The
former college track star and 24-time NHRA winner has built a career
around forward momentum. Whether on his own two feet or two or four
wheels, Brown has etched his name as one of the more successful drivers
in NHRA drag racing.

On Tuesday, April 20, Brown traded his 8,000-horsepower Don Schumacher
Racing-prepared Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster for a flight suit
and a ride in a Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon made famous by the
U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds. The former rider of the U.S. Army Pro Stock
Motorcycle Suzuki took the ride of his life with Capt. Kristin "Mother"
Hubbard, Advance Pilot/Narrator of the #8 Thunderbirds F-16.

"It was an incredible experience to fly with the Thunderbirds and Kristin
(Hubbard) aka Mother," Brown said. "When we took off, it was slower than
my dragster, but once we pulled back and went straight up in the air and
pulled 6 Gs, I had never felt anything like that in my life. I felt
pressure all over my body even wearing the G-suit.

"Kristin did an awesome job of flying us and keeping me right and tight
during the flight. We flew upside down and did turns and went straight up
and all these maneuvers that I couldn't even imagine. When I was a little
kid growing up, I always wanted to race Top Fuel cars and fly a figther
jet, and now I can say I've done both. I feel very fortunate and want to
thank (TSgt.) Randy Redman for making my dream come true."

After completing his pre-flight physical and safety briefing with
Hubbard, Capt. and Flight Surgeon Thomas Bowden and Flight Equipment
Technician TSgt. Sang Lee, the Matco Tools flagship driver and Hubbard
took off from Nellis A.F.B. in Las Vegas. Brown's Matco Tools/U.S. Army
dragster reaches nearly 5 G-Forces during a 1,000-foot blast, and during
his ride with Hubbard the duo hit 9.5 G's or the pressure of nearly 10
times the weight of their bodies.

"When we did a 90-degree, banked turn and pulled 9.5 Gs, I did everything
in my power to stay conscious," Brown said. "I did all the proper
breathing techniques they taught me and it worked. No, I didn't throw up,
but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was nauseous. It really felt like I
did 500 straight sit-ups.

"I would have to say that it was one of the best experiences I've done in
my life. That's the closest thing that gives me the same type of rush as
racing our DSR Top Fuel dragster. It's right up there with jumping out of
an airplane with the Army's Golden Knights. I did that a few years back,
and that was awesome too."

Brown, 34, pilots the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster for Don Schumacher
Racing. He currently ranks fifth in the 2010 NHRA Top Fuel standings with
two No. 1 qualifiers and three final-round appearances this season. Brown
has 24 career wins, eight in Top Fuel and 16 in Pro Stock Motorcycle, and
23 career poles. He is the only driver in NHRA history to win races and
lead the standings in both Top Fuel and PSM.

"I have a current relationship with the U.S. Army and a 'hooah' to all
our Army Strong Soldiers," Brown said. "It's great to represent the Army
and all our current brave active duty military and retired members of the
U.S. Armed Forces. All of us at DSR thank them for everything they do and
have done for our great nation. After flying with the Thunderbirds, I
have a newfound respect for what they and the Air Force do and the skill
and physical attributes it takes to pilot an F-16. And not just the
pilots, but the entire 130-person support staff for the Thunderbirds."